Thousands of international delegates returned to International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) for the 95th Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) Global Conference. It marked the largest international business event in Australia since borders reopened in March 2022 and took over all three of ICC Sydney’s convention, exhibition and entertainment venues.

Over the four-day conference, the world’s leading life insurance and financial services professionals from over 500 companies and 33 countries and territories came together to exchange innovative practices, hear from the region’s top industry leaders, learn about local and global trends and collaborate in an unparalleled location.

What were the objectives or purpose of the event?

The Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) Global Conference brings together thousands of the world’s leading life insurance and financial services professional from over 500 companies and 70 countries and territories to exchange innovative practices, to hear from the region’s top industry leaders, learn about local and global trends and collaborate in an iconic destination.

MDRT is committed to celebrating and serving the diverse and global perspectives of its members in an environment where everyone is treated equally, without bias or discrimination.

Tell us about the execution. What were some of the highlights?

Now in its 95^th year, MDRT, in collaboration with BESydney, welcomed 4,500 in person delegates from 33 countries and territories to Sydney for the second time since hosting the event at ICC Sydney back in 2019.

With 98 percent of the delegation from international locations, this was the largest international business event Australia has hosted since borders reopened in March 2022. It is interesting to note that 45 percent of the delegates flew in from India which is a great testament to the Government’s efforts to securing direct flights from this high growth tourism market. MDRT reported that since the return on in person meetings since the COVID-19 pandemic, the high in person attendance number for this event was a key highlight.

Were there any obstacles or special requirements that needed to be accommodated? 

Over the four day conference, ICC Sydney’s facilities were fully utilised to ensure the success of this event and accommodate the needs of our client. MDRT activated all three of ICC Sydney’s premium convention, exhibition and entertainment spaces and hosted 32 speaker sessions in its state-of-the-art Aware Super Theatre while providing additional breakout spaces and meeting rooms across its Exhibition and Convention Centres for its Focus Sessions – allowing more intimate and flexible spaces for its delegates to network and collaborate.

It was important to the client that while attending the conference their delegation had easy access to the Convention Centre, state-of-the-art facilities, and close access to an abundance of attractions, hotels and restaurants. Situated at the intersection of Sydney’s academic, cultural and technology precincts, ICC Sydney was specifically chosen for this event as it provided the perfect backdrop for the MDRT delegation to experience Sydney with access to the city’s bustling retail, financial and dining districts on its door step. Either a short walk, taxi, light rail, ferry or train ride away from the nearest restaurant, hotel or iconic attraction, delegates were able to collaborate and learn from like-minded individuals whilst exploring the best of Sydney on the venue’s doorstep.

With such a diverse group of largely international delegates, ICC Sydney supported MDRT as they provided interpretation services of seven languages for their delegation, hosting over 500 PGA (Program General Arrangements) volunteers across the three venues to assist with wayfinding and language translation.